I have to replace the little fin just above the prop on my Mercury Alpha One
I/O. I understand its function is to counteract the natural tendency of a
power boat to skew to one side.
There is a little cap on the drive unit which pops off to provide access.
Inside , down about two inches, there is some sort of bolt which secures the
fin. But I can't figure out what kind of a fitting it is. I can't see with
a small flashlight and groping with any number of different screwdriver
heads failed to connect.
In short, how the hell do I get the old broken fin off so I can install a
new one. It doesn't look like rocket science or something that needs
professional service but I tried every trick I could think of with no luck.
Thanks
rps

--
"The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence has
its limits."

But I can't figure out what kind of a fitting it is. I can't see with
a small flashlight and groping with any number of different

If I am not mistaken it ia an allen or hex bolt.

Dick -

Recently I had to remove mine to "straighten" it. (new boater stupidity -
don't ask...)

My boat is a '95 with me being the third owner. I didn't have the cap you
speak of, but mine was held on with a 1/2" hex-head bolt. You'll need a
three inch or longer extension also. The outdrive on mine is also an Alph
One, but there may be a difference in fasteners between different years (new
boater ignorance, but I'm teachable).

"Dick Smyth" wrote in message
...
I have to replace the little fin just above the prop on my Mercury Alpha
One
I/O. I understand its function is to counteract the natural tendency of a
power boat to skew to one side.
There is a little cap on the drive unit which pops off to provide
access.
Inside , down about two inches, there is some sort of bolt which secures
the
fin. But I can't figure out what kind of a fitting it is. I can't see
with
a small flashlight and groping with any number of different screwdriver
heads failed to connect.
In short, how the hell do I get the old broken fin off so I can install a
new one. It doesn't look like rocket science or something that needs
professional service but I tried every trick I could think of with no
luck.
Thanks
rps

--
"The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence
has
its limits."

Allen
"Dick Smyth" wrote in message
...
I have to replace the little fin just above the prop on my Mercury Alpha
One
I/O. I understand its function is to counteract the natural tendency of a
power boat to skew to one side.
There is a little cap on the drive unit which pops off to provide
access.
Inside , down about two inches, there is some sort of bolt which secures
the
fin. But I can't figure out what kind of a fitting it is. I can't see
with
a small flashlight and groping with any number of different screwdriver
heads failed to connect.
In short, how the hell do I get the old broken fin off so I can install a
new one. It doesn't look like rocket science or something that needs
professional service but I tried every trick I could think of with no
luck.
Thanks
rps

--
"The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence
has
its limits."

3/8" Allen


"Dick Smyth" wrote in message
...
I have to replace the little fin just above the prop on my Mercury Alpha
One
I/O. I understand its function is to counteract the natural tendency of a
power boat to skew to one side.
There is a little cap on the drive unit which pops off to provide
access.
Inside , down about two inches, there is some sort of bolt which secures
the
fin. But I can't figure out what kind of a fitting it is. I can't see
with
a small flashlight and groping with any number of different screwdriver
heads failed to connect.
In short, how the hell do I get the old broken fin off so I can install a
new one. It doesn't look like rocket science or something that needs
professional service but I tried every trick I could think of with no
luck.
Thanks
rps

--
"The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence
has
its limits."

I/O. I understand its function is to counteract the natural tendency of a
power boat to skew to one si

This piece also offers cathodic protection.

If your boat doesn't have power steering it needs the fin. If you have power
steering the piece is round with no fin when new.